Shipping Bolt Kit W10289554A Installation On a Whirlpool Washer

Embarking on a journey with your washing machine? Before you roll it into a new spot, ensure it’s ready for the road by installing a shipping bolt kit—essential for safely securing the inner tub in transit. Watch our simple how-to video below to protect your appliance and enjoy a worry-free move!

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Before you move your Whirlpool, KitchenAid, or Maytag washing machine, make sure you’ve installed the shipping bolt kit. These specially designed bolts securely hold the inner tub during transportation, keeping your washing machine safe from any potential damage. This step will give you peace of mind, knowing that your appliance is well-protected during the move. So, let’s get started and make sure everything is properly set up before you proceed! 

Watch the repair here: How to install shipping bolt kit

The information in this article may not apply to your specific appliance model. We recommend consulting your manufacturer’s documentation or contact us with any questions.

Tools and materials needed

• Whirlpool Duet Washer Shipping Bolt Kit (includes 4 bolts + instructions)
• Small flathead screwdriver
• T20 Torx driver
• 13mm socket wrench
• A helper (optional but really helpful!)
• Hacksaw (only for older models without bolt cutouts)

Safety first

When working on any appliance, remember to keep safety first. Here are some tips to keep in mind: 

• Always power off and unplug your appliance or switch off the circuit breaker before attempting any maintenance or replacement work. This keeps you safe by preventing any risk of injury from electric shock.
• Wear insulated work gloves to protect your hands from sharp metal parts, pinching hazards and debris.
• Take your time and don’t rush while working to prevent accidents and personal injuries.
• Work in a well-lit area so you can clearly see and access the interior parts.
• Clear your workspace of clutter and other obstacles. Keep children and pets away from the work area.
• Never work on internal parts with bare wet hands. Make sure the work area is completely dry.
• Check your user manual to see if there are specific installation or safety instructions for your part or appliance. 
• Be gentle when handling or removing parts. Excessive force might damage the appliance or cause injury.
• Wear safety glasses when working with chemicals, dust or cleaning large debris to prevent injury. 
• If the appliance has recently been used, give it plenty of time for any heating parts to cool down before working on it. 
• Take pictures or make a note of wiring terminals or other connections before disconnecting to prevent any problems with reassembly.
• When working with wires, avoid touching any exposed wires or terminals. If you need to touch a wire, use a non-conductive tool or wear insulating gloves to prevent electrical shock.
• Turn off the water supply at the outlet before beginning repairs to any appliance parts that hold water. Have towels ready for any residual water in the system when removing parts. 

Replacement steps

1. Head to the back of the washer and look for four round plastic bolt hole covers. Use a small flathead screwdriver to gently lift and pull each one outward to remove them. Set them aside—you’ll need them later.
2. Use a Torx T20 screwdriver to remove the three screws on the back edge of the top panel. 
3. Once they’re out, slide the panel back slightly, then lift it off the washer and set it aside.
4. Have someone press down gently on the inner tub from the top. This lines up the holes inside the tub with the holes on the back of the washer so the bolts can go in straight. If you skip this, the bolt might go in crooked and crack the tub.
5. If you’re working with an older washer model and there’s no cutout near the bolt holes, carefully use a hacksaw to trim that section so the bolt can fit through.
6. While someone holds the tub down, insert the first shipping bolt and hand-tighten it into place. Use a 13mm socket wrench to drive it in about halfway. Don’t fully tighten it yet—give yourself room to adjust the others.
7. Install the remaining three bolts the same way—hand tighten first, then use the socket wrench to snug them up halfway.
8. Once all four bolts are in place, go around and tighten each one fully. Work in a crisscross pattern to pull the tub evenly against the shipping brackets.
9. Line up the front holes of the top panel with the pins near the control console. Set it down, slide it forward until it fits snug, then reinstall the three Torx screws in the back.
10. Keep the four plastic covers somewhere safe—you won’t be able to reinstall them while the shipping bolts are in. You’ll need them once you move the washer.

Now that the tub is secured with shipping bolts, your washer is safe to move! Once your washer is in its new spot, use your 13mm socket wrench to remove all four shipping bolts. Take the plastic covers you saved earlier and snap them back into the bolt holes on the back of the washer.

Plug the washer back in, turn the water supplies on, and run a quick cycle to make sure everything’s working smoothly.

More information

Thanks for reading! We hope this article helped you replace the shipping bolt kit in your Whirlpool, KitchenAid or Maytag washing machine.

If you still need some replacement parts, grab your model number and head over to AppliancePartsPros.com. We offer over two million parts and most orders arrive in two business days. If you need some help with finding the right part or placing an order, you can contact our team at 1 (877) 477-7278.

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